High School

Two area golfers, John VanDerLaan of Pomperaug High and Andra Frappier of Cheshire High, recently accepted college scholarships. Frappier will play at Division I Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, while VanDerLaan heads south to Division II Florida Southern.

"Florida Southern is a top 5 Division II school," said VanDerLaan, who won the Connecticut Junior in 2012. "Going there gives me a good chance to play for an NCAA championship."

Local golfers who starred at Florida Southern include current Post University golf coach Steve Sokol and Country Club of Waterbury head professional Tom Gleeton. Both were Division II national champions and both were inducted into the school's Hall of Fame.

VanDerLaan, who plays at Heritage Village, has a shot at some championships before he leaves for Florida. The Panthers look to defend their SWC golf title this month, and are clearly one of the favorites when state championship season arrives.

"If we play well and get our team score under 300, I think we have an excellent chance," he said. "I want to get better, improve my game, and add a couple of wins this summer to my résumé."

Frappier, who plays out of East Mountain, grew up at the course and is a product of the First Tee of Connecticut. She urges girls to take up the game. There is college money out there for lady golfers.

"There are thousands of scholarships for girls who play golf, and so many go untouched," Frappier said. "Girls should give it a shot."

Frappier has played the game for a lot of years, and candidly talks about fighting off burnout. The scholarship to FDU is the payoff. At times, she said, golf felt like "more of a chore. For a time, the fun wasn't there. But I kicked myself in the pants and said, 'You're here for a reason. You've gotten this far. Don't give up on what you've accomplished.'"

Now, the next stop is Teaneck, N.J.

"Golf is very humbling," Frappier added. "You can never beat it. It always keeps you focused. Every shot is a new shot, and you have to give it 100-percent."

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